Borough official admits "oversight"

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At the September 22 Columbia Borough Council Committee of the Whole meeting, the approval of construction of an outbuilding on the 600 block of 13th Street was characterized as an "oversight" by a borough official. The official used the term in response to a question from a resident as to why the building was approved for construction in a residential neighborhood.  The structure has been a source of concern for neighbors due its appearance, size, proposed use, and potential impact on neighborhood property values. Currently, a "stop work" order is in effect to halt further construction.

More details to follow.

Two views of the structure in question

Comments

Anonymous said…
Should be fired!!!!!!!!
September 22, 2014 at 9:20 PM
Anonymous said…
AND the monstrosity SHOULD be downsized to the 1000 sq ft ALLOWED. period.
September 23, 2014 at 7:02 AM
Anonymous said…
an oversight my a--. this is all the time. depends on who you are etc. take a detailed ride thru the boro & see "ALL THE OTHER OVERSIGHTS!" and then on top of that...also telling prospective buyers NOT to purchase properties. way out of line.
September 23, 2014 at 7:06 AM
Anonymous said…
He caters to outsiders. look at what he allowed on the roof of 200 Locust!!!
September 23, 2014 at 10:46 AM
Anonymous said…
this is a very serious problem & should be dealt with immediately & efficiently.
i do NOT believe this is an OVERSIGHT either.
people the zoning hearing board IS PUBLIC....BUT you can't talk without being sworn in-no big deal. THEN you are ON record.
September 23, 2014 at 12:15 PM
Anonymous said…
The man can get away with MURDER!!!!!!
September 23, 2014 at 3:47 PM
Anonymous said…
seriously? that's the best boro mgmt could come up with? an oversight. it's even worse than i thought. this HAS got to stop. wth??? can't figure out why this is allowed to continue.
September 23, 2014 at 8:45 PM
Anonymous said…
An oversight that will cost us taxpayers greatly in litigation costs. If the Boro would have hired a qualified person to head code enforcement this wouldn't have happened.
September 24, 2014 at 7:51 AM
Anonymous said…
Hopefully, the powers that be will agree to taking this building down. Not only is the building going to be an eyesore for the neighbors, but who wants to have construction vehicles going in and out of their neighborhood? What about the young kids/dogs in the neighborhood- this is definitely not safe. How many "oversights" must the zoning officer make before he is out of a job? If I made a mistake of this magnitude- I would be fired from my job, and rightly so.
September 24, 2014 at 12:37 PM
Anonymous said…
Surely there must be addtional code infractions with this project other than the "1000sqft" one being brought up? What are the rectrictions of use for Zone LDR(low density residential)?? Are there any against storage of heavy equipment related to a business? Having a driveway from a Borough street onto private property paved vs just stone? Garages vs Accesory Buildings? How about heigth restrictions? Setbacks? Operating a business? etc etc etc. All need to be fully explored and vetted out first, a responsibility of the Code Enforcement Officer, before granting a permit. I certainly would not want this large building ruining my neighborhood. Hopefully there will be enough infractions found that will justify removing the structure as shown.
September 24, 2014 at 2:55 PM
Anonymous said…
Who owns the property?
September 24, 2014 at 5:06 PM
Joe Lintner said…
The applicant on the zoning permits posted at the house is "Vincent Fiorella."

September 24, 2014 at 5:29 PM
Joe Lintner said…
Those are all very good points. Thank you.
September 24, 2014 at 5:30 PM
Joe Lintner said…
This was a very bad decision.
September 24, 2014 at 5:31 PM
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